I bought a Philip Norelco Qt4070

Posted on March 27, 2011 by Joel

Three years later, I need a new beard trimmer. I used a Norelco Philips trimmer for about three years, but now I seem to have lost the walle charging cable. Where the hell could it go? These things don’t go walking off, you know? After two weeks of manually (and unevenly) grooming my beard with a pair of tiny scissors, I got fed up. Specifically, my wife looked at me earlier this month and said, “Your beard is uneven.”

I went “ARGH!” It’s not fun to trim your beard with scissors, and if it’s still going to look bad, forget it, I’ll just buy a new trimmer. I saw this Philip Norelco Qt4070 on Amazon, figured good enough, and ordered it. After a few days of use, I’ll say it works as expected. However, I don’t find the vacuum feature useful, as I still find hairs on the sink. Also, the trimmer shears don’t stay within the device, but jut out, so it’s a little more difficult to ensure I’m keeping it even. Design challenges aside, my beard is even now.

Philips Norelco Qt4070

Philips Norelco Qt4070

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The Master Lock 1590D is a piece of you-know-what

Posted on March 26, 2011 by Joel
The Master Lock 1590D

The Master Lock 1590D

Last month, I purchased a new Master Lock combination lock from Target. I would use this for my gym locker. Instead of getting a traditional combination lock with just numbers (and I could forget the combo), I opted for this new-fangled combination lock that used letters and numbers to create words. It’s just a 3 alphanumeric code, but still, easy to remember.

I used for a few times, but misplaced it for two weeks. I finally found it under the couch, and was elated. However, I dropped it on the kitchen floor later that day, but didn’t think much of it. Later at the gym, I couldn’t get the lock to open after attemping the combination for 15 minutes. I gave up, and carried my valuables with me throughout my workout. Frustration!

On the way home, I called the Master Lock customer line, and spoke to a rep. The rep happens to mention that they’ve been “having some problems” with this particular model, so she would send me a “one-time only” replacement, but it would be the traditional combo lock. Sigh, whatever, at this point. I looked online later, and it seems many other people have complained that the 1590D has caused much grief to other consumers. You would think someone would pull these defective products from stores in the meantime.

I received my replacement combination lock in the mail this week, and it’s not even new — it’s refurbished! I thought they could at least send me a new lock, not one that is all dinged up. Thanks for keeping customers happy, Master Lock.

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I bought the Total Pillow, and it’s really not bad at all

Posted on March 25, 2011 by Joel
The Total Pillow

The Total Pillow

About a week ago when we were shopping at our local Bed, Bath, and Beyond, Josh and I were pushing the shopping cart and saw the Total Pillow. We’d seen this on tv commercials before, but it seems it’s available now in stores.  You can bend it in a few different ways for various uses, such as a back pillow, neck pillow, etc. It was like $10 or so, and I thought it might be nice to have for when I’m in the car or the office. A lot of times on long drives, my lower back hurts, and I wish I had some sort of back support. During last year’s Michigan/Chicago road trip, I used the kids’ neck pillows, but it wasn’t the best option.

It’s been a few days, and I’ll report that it’s definitely better than nothing.

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Annie Hall (1977)

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Joel

This week, I saw Woody Allen’s 1977 film Annie Hall, apparently one of this most famous and acclaimed films. I’ve read that this was one of his most popular films, but I didn’t know that it had won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. I haven’t partaken with a majority of Woody Allen’s films, though I do slightly remember watching portions of Sleeper many moons ago when I was a kid.

Annie Hall is about Allen’s character Alvy Singer who meets a woman named Annie Hall, played by Diane Keaton. They fall in love and get into a relationship that lasts a few years. They eventually break up, and the film’s premise is a view of adult relationships. Not being a student of the 70’s, I thought it was an interesting look at love and life in the 1970s. I don’t quite understand the fashion choices, but it was interesting to watch the beginning and end of a relationship. I was reminded that relationships are complex and difficult and wonderful.

Annie Hall (1977)

Annie Hall (1977)

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I installed a new bathroom faucet

Posted on March 22, 2011 by Joel

As you know, I’ve become more adept at home improvement jobs around the house, mostly through trial and error. I’ve had to, since it isn’t cost effective to hire someone to do it. Plumbing has been my Achilles Heel, and have been thwarted regularly.

With some small modicum of trepidation, I replaced the faucet in the main floor powder room. It wasn’t so bad. The kit also came with materials to replace the stopper (and the associated flanges, gaskets, pipe, etc.) However, once it started talking about Plumber’s Putty and Tape, and when I couldn’t figure out how to replace it, I said forget it, good enough.

Looks good, I think, and the hot water works again.

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The last new movie arrived — Megamind

Posted on March 22, 2011 by Joel

The last of the three new movies we purchased arrived today — Megamind. I ordered it at Walmart.com last week, with free shipping to our local store. I’m not personally a big fan of Walmart, but this was pretty easy, and the price was right. I hope we can crack this open in the next few weeks.

Megamind Blu-ray & DVD combo

Megamind Blu-ray & DVD combo

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Paul (2011)

Posted on March 19, 2011 by Joel

Doug and I went out Friday night to see Paul, the new Simon Pegg and Nick Frost “meet an alien” movie. The alien is “Paul”, a wise-crackin’, fun-lovin’ alien. There were a few other options out there on a Friday night, but we settled on watching a movie over at the Garden State Plaza mall. I ate dinner at the food court, and then we walked over to the AMC theater.

I thought Paul was a pretty good movie. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost play two sci-fi / fantasy, convention-going guys on a road trip through southwest USA, visiting sites famous for UFO sightings, including Area 51. On the way, they run into Paul, voiced by Seth Rogen. Paul the alien was the best part of the whole movie. During the course of the plot as they try to get Paul where he needs to be, they’re chased by government agents, and run into rednecks and other strange folks, including Kristen Wiig’s bible-thumper.

Pegg and Frost wrote this film, so there are a zillion sci-fi references, so when you watch this movie, keep an eye open for them.

Paul (2011)

Paul (2011)

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Watchmen (2009)

Posted on March 17, 2011 by Joel

I was up late Wednesday night cleaning and sorting the junk mail, so I watched Zack Snyder’s Watchmen film from 2009. Before it came out, I’ll admit that, judging from the trailers, it looked amazing. I’ve never read, nor was I familiar with, Alan Moore’s Watchmen comic book series. Still, if the film is executed well, the audience should get the gist regardless. The only Zack Snyder that I’ve seen beforehand was 300, which was more about the visual vs the story or being grounded in reality.

I won’t go to detailed into the plot. Basically, the Watchmen were a group of superheroes who have since now retired.  One of the superheroes is murdered, and the rest try to find out who may be trying to kill them off. It takes place primarily in an alternate 1985, but there are flashbacks to events in the early 20th century when certain key backstory events occurred. It’s an overly long movie, clocking in at 2 hours and 45 mins. I do feel that it was a little bloated, and could have been a little compressed. I believe the general was, “What does it mean to be a superhero, to have super powers?” They aren’t perfect people, so what is their responsibility? What do people expect from them?

My favorite was Rorschach, but it was enjoyable to watch the ass-kickin’ scenes. If the movie wasn’t so overly long, I think I would have enjoyed it better. It’s still interesting to watch, so I’d recommend it.

Watchmen (2009)

Watchmen (2009)

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2011 Trek Madone 6.5 is beautiful and expensive

Posted on March 17, 2011 by Joel

I went to one of my local bike shops that I frequent to research a new helmet, new pedals, and new shoes. While I was there, I checked out a 2011 Trek Madone that they had on display. The frame is carbon, so it was very light. It’s a beautiful bike, but certainly out of my price range!

2011 Trek Madone 6.5 Project One

2011 Trek Madone 6.5 Project One

2011 Trek Madone 6.5 Project One specs

2011 Trek Madone 6.5 Project One specs
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I replaced the battery in the Highlander’s key fob

Posted on March 16, 2011 by Joel

After 2+ years, the battery in my key fob for our Toyota Highlander was running low. After a few too many warnings, I considered taking it to my Toyota dealership to replace it. However, you know it’s going to take too much time and a little too much money to have them replace a simple battery. I researched online, and found out it was extremely easy. You need to use the valet key to pry open the fob, then replace the battery, which can be found at your local Radio Shack. It was fairly easy, and the battery cost me about $5.00. Much better than driving all the way to the dealership!

Toyota Highlander key fob innards

Toyota Highlander key fob innards

Toyota Highlander key fob innards (battery)

Toyota Highlander key fob (battery)
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